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The Royal Navy

This page gathers together resources specific to the Royal Navy, its history and its associated branches.

For more detailed advice on tracing the service records for your ancestors who served in the RN, please see our FTF Guide: Military Research.

Vikings, Romans and Norman invaders arrived by sea and settled in the country. Although each ruler had fleets of vessels, some more successful than others in repelling these invaders, it was not until Henry VIII created his Navy Royal, which by his death in 1547 numbered 58 vessels, that it was centrally organised. In 1546 a "Council of the Marine" which later became the "Navy Board" was established.

By 1660 when Charles II came to the throne, the fleet numbered 154 ships and became a permanent professional fighting force - The Royal Navy.

By 1805, there were almost 950 vessels and between 12,000 to 20,000 seamen were needed even in peacetime. At the height of the Napoleonic Wars 150,000 seaman were needed which resulted in the infamous Press Gangs.

The Royal Navy also carried out more peaceful tasks such as scientific and geographical surveying. Captain James Cook, among others, undertook long voyages which became longer as the health on board ships improved. Civilian scientists and artists would also be taken on these expeditions.

As well as the surface fleet and also part of the Naval Service, there are the Submarine Service which dates from 1901 and the Fleet Air Arm which was established in 1914.

The Royal Navy officially began to employ women as carers of servicemen, especially as nurses in 1883 although women would have been on board ship unofficially before this. The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) was established in 1920.

The Royal Marines are the Royal Navy's amphibious infantry. In 1664 1200 soldiers were recruited for service in the Fleet. They were not only soldiers but also seamen.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian manned organisation owned and tasked by the Ministry of Defence. It exists to support the Royal Navy by supplying food, fuel and other stores allowing them to stay at sea for longer. It came into being in 1905.

Service Records

Before 1972, all RN personnel were given their service record when they discharged. For pension purposes the RN retained pay details. Therefore the only information held on RN personnel who served prior to 1972 are their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases. A Subject Access Requests (SAR) form needs to be completed in order to access records.

Royal Navy Contact Address Details

The following address should be used for all Royal Navy and Royal Marine enquiries: